title: Hopelessness, depression and social support with end of life Turkish cancer patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was performed to evaluate relationships between different demographic variables and hopelessness and depression in end of life Turkish cancer patients. This study was a descriptive survey with repeated measures conducted a university hospital in the city of Erzurum, in the eastern part of Turkey. The study enrolled 216 patients undergoing palliative treatment at the hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected using questionnaires (demographic questionnaire, Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Beck Depression Scale (BDS) and analyzed for demographic and disease-related variable effects on hopelessness and depression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Th hopelessness score was significantly high in female, illiterate, married, and living in rural areas cancer patients. Both hopelessness and depression scores were significantly higher with longer disease duration, receiving radiotherapy treatment, and having metastatic disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings demonstrate the coexistence of the physical, psychological, and cognitive problems faced by patients with cancer. Nurses can conduct brief screening assessments to identify patients with probable distress and and psychosocial support, as well as referrals to support services.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine Nursing, Kars Health School, Kafkas University, Kars, Turkey. zumrut8136@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Zümrüt Akgün
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Şahin
authors.forename: Mehtap
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Hatice
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Polat
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D065026:Hope; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010166:Palliative Care; D012923:Social Class; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013727:Terminal Care; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000523:psychology*; D014421:Turkey